Trask steps down as Oakland CEO

Amy Trask went from being a fan of the Oakland Raiders as a Cal student to being an intern with the L.A. Raiders during law school to becoming one of the most powerful women in the NFL. Chronicle photo by Mark Costantini

Amy Trask went from being a fan of the Oakland Raiders as a Cal student to being an intern with the L.A. Raiders during law school to becoming one of the most powerful women in the NFL. Chronicle photo by Mark

Raiders fullback Marcel Reece, surprised by her resignation on Saturday, called longtime Raiders Chief Executive Officer Amy Trask "the first lady of football."

That Trask left the team she spent 25 seasons with is not really a surprise. She was late owner Al Davis' right-hand woman, and his son, new owner Mark Davis, has been reshaping both the football and business side of the organization in the past year and a half.

Davis had diminished Trask's role, and she was working primarily on the team's stadium issues.

Trask was the only high-level female executive in the NFL who isn't related to team ownership (other than Dolphins vice president of football administration Dawn Aponte) and one of the highest-ranking women in American professional sports.

Trask became the league's first female CEO in 1997, and just talked Thursday with The Chronicle about her and the team's continuing efforts to get a new stadium in Oakland, as well as plans with new flagship station 95.7 FM The Game.

But in an e-mail Saturday, she said she was stepping down.

"Earlier today, I informed Mark Davis of my decision to leave the Raiders," she said. "Having honored a commitment that I made to effectuate a smooth transition and transfer of control, I no longer wish to remain with the organization. For over a quarter of a century, it was my honor and my privilege to work for the Raiders.

"I will forever appreciate the opportunity afforded me by Al Davis."

Mark Davis hired general Reggie McKenzie to run the football operations in January 2012, and most of the coaches, scouts and many front office executives hired by his dad have been replaced.

Davis has been looking for a potential team president, and interviewed NFL executive Ray Anderson for the job this offseason.

Whoever replaces Trask will take on Oakland's murky stadium situation. The Raiders are in the final year of their lease at the creaky Coliseum, and Trask and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan have been pushing for a new stadium near the current site. But money and corporate sponsorship for a "Coliseum City" multiplex of a stadium, shops and a convention center has been hard to nail down. Plus, the A's uncertain future in Oakland has slowed down the process. Locking down 81 money-making home games for a new stadium would make it more attractive for all parties involved.

"I thought she was a great ambassador for Raider Nation and we're grateful for her efforts to work with the city and county to try and build a new world-class stadium in Oakland," Save Oakland Sports co-founder Jim Zelinski said. "Hopefully, that will be part of her legacy."

The Raiders released a statement thanking Trask for her time with the team.

"Mark Davis, Carol Davis and the rest of the Raiders family would like to thank Amy Trask for her valued contributions to the Raiders for the past 25 years. The Raiders wish her the very best in her future endeavors."